Metallic folding bed.



, c. JONAS. METALLIC FOLDING BED. APPLICATION FILED PEBJ, 1904.

PATENTED 1, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAY 1, 1906.

O. JONAS.

METALLIC FOLDING BED. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES JONAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO METALLIC FOLDING BED COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- TION OF ILLINOIS.

METALLIC FOLDING BED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

katented May 1, 1906.-

Application filed February 1, 1904. Serial No. 191,628.

To all w/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES JoNAs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,

in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,

ance of a sideboard, commode, dresser, or

other article of furniture and when extended will form a bed, cot, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a metallic folding bed which when extended will avoid undue extension from the bed-frame of the head and foot pieces.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction,combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a metallic folding bed embodying the principles of my invention, showing the foot-plate or panel thereof when the bed is folded, presenting the appearance of a sideboard, commode, dressing-case, or the like. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig- 1, showing the bed in folded position. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a bed embodying the principles of my invention extended. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In. the construction and use of metallic folding beds it is desirable to provide a construction and arrangement whereby the bed may be folded into compact condition when not required for-use and so inclosed with top the bed-frame in three parts.

plates and panels in the front and sides thereof as to present the appearance of a sideboard, commode, dresser, or the like, presenting the appearance of an ornamental piece of 7 furniture. able to provide means whereby the top plates when the bed is extended are prevented from offering undue projections liable to strike In such constructions itis desiragainst the wall of the room or to ofier obstructions against which persons occupying the room may come in contact.

It is among the special purposes present invention to provide such a construcs; a:

tion of metallic folding bed, and in the ac.- i companying drawings I have shown a construction embodying the principles of my .in

vention which is simple and efficient, wherein the bed may be folded into compact condi-IY tion when not required for use, with panels presenting the appearance of a sideboard, commode, dresser, or other neat-appearing article of furniture, occupies small space in the room, which, if desired, may be mounted upon casters, so as to enable it to occupy a position in the room to be readily shifted,

and wherein the panels and foot of the bed.

are ca able of being folded when the bed is eXten ed, so as to avoid undue obstructions and projections. In accordance with my invention I form The central part is composed of the frame-bars A A,.hori.- zontally arranged and connected at the ends thereof by cross-bars B B and having supporting-legs C C, said legs, if desired, being connected by brace-bars D, as clearly shown in the drawings. These parts so far described constitute the central section of the bedframe, 'and to which are pivotally connected the end sections of the bed-frame.

The head end section of the bed-frame comprises arms E, suitably hinged or pivoted .to the cross-bars B and connected together at the opposite ends thereof by a crossbar F. Links G are pivotally connected at one end to the legs C and at the other end to supporting-leg portions H, the latter being pivotally mounted, as at J, adjacent to the head ends of the end frame-bars E, the point points of pivotal connection J of head-legs H to frame-bars E and pivotal points K of links G to legs H and the pivotal points L and M, respectively, of the head end framebars E and links G to the central frame-bars A and legs C, respectively, are so disposed relatively to each other that when the head portion of the frame of the bed is rocked or swung about the axis L of the hinge connection of bars E to the central portion of the frame so as to rock, swing, or fold the head end portion of the bed into upright position from that shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 2 the head-supporting legs H will be rocked or folded into substantially parallel relation with respect to the frame-bars E, and when the head end portion of the bed is folded down from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4 the head-legs H will be rocked or swung outwardly to form a legsupport for the head end of the bed. In other words, the legs C and H and the bars E and links G constitute, in effect, a parallel motion, whereby the results above stated are accomplished. If desired, a latch N may be provided for locking the head portion or end of the bed-frame in upright or raised position, as shown in Fig. 2, the latch being shown disconnected in Fig. 4.

In order to constitute the whole or a portion of the top of a dressing-case, commode, sideboard, or the like when the bed is in folded position, I provide a top plate P, arranged to extend transversely across the top or head end of the bed and occupying a plane intersecting the head-frame bars E at substantially right angles, and which top board or plate forms the top of the sideboard or commode when the bed is in folded position, as shown in Fig. 2, and which constitutes the headboard of the bed when the bed is extended, as shown in Fig. 4. This headboardpiece P may be braced to the frame-bars E in any suitable or convenient manneras, for

instance, by means of the brace-rods Q or otherwise, as may be convenient.

In order to provide an ornamental backboard for the sideboard, commode, dresser, or the like, I provide a panel R, arranged when the bed is folded, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to form a backboard and to occupy a plane intersecting the plane of the head or top board P at right angles. This backboard R may of course be ornamented in any suitable or convenient manner or may be paneled with glass or other ornamentation. When, however, the bed is folded down or extended for use as a bed, it is desirable to prevent this backboard from forming a horizontal projection from the end of the bed and also to protect it and prevent the same from becoming scratched when the bed is in use, and there fore I propose to provide means for folding the backboard R up against the top board P when the bed is extended for use as a bed. To this end I support the backboard R upon brackets S, said brackets being secured to the hinged head-legs H of the bed-frame and slightly bent or offset therefrom, as clearly shown. From this construction it will be seen that when the head-legs H are rocked or swung into position to form supporting-legs for the head end of the bed, as shown in Fig. 4, the backboard R will be folded up against and parallel with respect to the top board P, as clearly shown. The foot portion or section of the folding bed is similar in construction and arrangement to the head end or portion above described and comprises bars E, suitably hinged or pivoted at one end thereof, as at L, to the central portion or to the barsAof the central portion of the bed-frame, and similarly links G are pivotally connected at one end, as at M, to the legs 0 of the central portion, and the other ends of said links are pivotally connected, as at K, to legs H, forming supporting-legs for the foot end of the bed, said legs H being pivotally con nected, as at J, to the foot ends of the framebars E of the foot section of the bed, the bars E, links G, and legsC and H constituting, in effect, a parallel motion, whereby when the bed is folded from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 2 the legs H and the links G will be brought into folded relation substantially parallel with respect to the frame-bars E, and when the bed is extended from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 4 the legs H will be rocked or swung out into position to form su gportingdegs for the foot portion of the be I have above referred to a top board P being connected to the head section or portion of the bed. It is obvious that this top board may be of sufficient extent to form the entire top cover of the bed when in folded position to form the top of a sideboard, dressing-case, commode, or the like. In practice, however, and as shown I prefer to distribute the weight of the parts as much as possible, and hence the top board is made in two sections, one section P being carried by the head portion of the bed and the other section P being carried in similar manner to that above described with reference to the portion P by the footbars E and suitably braced thereto'by the brace-rods Q and so relatively arranged that when the bed is in folded position the sections P P of the top are brought together edge to edge, so as to form and constitute the top board of a dressing-case, commode, sideboard, or the like, and when the bed is extended to form a bed, as shown in Fig. 4, the section P will form the footboard of the bed and will occupy a lane parallel to that occupied by the hea board P and intersecting the frame-bars E at right angles, as clearly shown.

In order to provide a finished appearance for the bed when in folded position, giving it the appearance of a neat article of furnisilence turesuch as a dressing-case, commode, sideboard, or the like-I propose to provide the g of hinging-axis being indicated line K in Fig. 1.

bed-frame with suitably-ornamented panels. These panels may be applied either to the sides or to the front, or both, of the bed-frame. As shown, I provide a panel for the front of the bed-frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, which may be suitably ornamented to present the appearance of drawers and compartments of a dressing-case, chiffonier, .sideboard, commode, or the like. Thispanel is preferably carried by the links G, so that when the bed is folded into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 itsfront will present the appearance of a neat article of furniture, and when the bed is extended into position to form a bed the panel sup orted upon the links G will be carried un erneath the foot ortion of the bed, and hence out of the way. f the entire front panel were made in one piece and rocked or swung down with the links G, when the bed is extended to form a bed the portion thereof which occupies the upper edge or the imitation of the two upper drawers of the panel would form an undue extension or projection horizontally from the foot end of the bed. To prevent this, therefore, I form the panel in two sections A B and hinge the two sections together in line with the axis of the hinge or pivotal connection K of links G to the foot-1e s H, the line iy the dotted The upper edge of the section B of the front panel is hinged or pivoted along the axis of binge connections J, as indicated by the dotted lir es L in Fig. 1. From this description it will be seen that when the bed is extended to form a bed, as shown in Fig. 4, the upper panel B ,will be rocked or swung into right-angular relation with respect to the lower section A of the front panel, said front panel occupying a position with its top edge along the line of axis indicated by referencesign J, Fig. 4, and the lower edge of the upper section of the panel 13 extending along the line of axis indicated by reference-sign K of Fi 4, while one edge of section A of the pane will lie along the line of axis indicated by reference-sign K and the other line of axis lying along the line indicated by reference-sign M. Thus the top or upper section B of the front panel will be rocked or swung into a position substantially at right angles to the plane of the lower section A of the panel, and when the bed is folded into the position shown in Fig. 2 the upper panel B is rocked or swung back, so as to form in appearance substantially a continuation of the lower portion A of the panel.

Of course it will be readily understood that the bed springs or slats may be of any suitable or convenient construction and arrangement which will accommodate themselves to the folding and extending movements of the bed-frame sections, as this is a common expedient, and specific or detailedgdescriptio'n thereof is unnecessary.

The casters upon which the central bedframe section is supported are indicated by reference-sign A and. by which the bed may be readily shifted from one position to another, as may be desired.

If desired, a convenient handle B (see Fig. 1) may be provided for convenience in folding or extending the bed-frame sections. The bars E of the foot section of the bed may be connected together at theirextreme ends by the frame-bar F.

When the bed is folded into the position v shown in Fig. 2, the foot and head sections of the bed-frame may be held or locked in position in any suitable, simple, or convenient manner. I have shown for this purpose a lock C but as the s ecific construction and arrangement thereo forms no part of my present invention I do not desire to be limited or restricted in this respect.

Many variations and changes in the details of construction and arrangement would readily occur to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described; but,

' Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In a metallic folding bed, a bed-frame having a central section, and head and foot sections hinged or pivoted thereto and adapted to be rocked or swung toward each other into closed position, a head and foot board carried respectively by the hinged sections and disposed at right angles thereto, support ing-legs arranged at the free ends of said sections, links pivotally connected to said central section and to the pivoted legs of said head and foot sections, the point of pivotal connection of said links and central section being off center with reference to the hinging axis of said head and foot sections to said central section, and a panel attached to and supported by the pivoted legs of said headsection and forming a backboard when said head and foot sections occupy closed position and rocking or swinging into substantillay right-angular relation with respect to the plane of said head-section and behind the headboard When the sections are extended to form a bed.

2. In a metallic folding bed, a bed-frame having a central section, and head and foot sections hinged or pivoted thereto, a head'- board carried by the free end of one section and disposed at a right angle thereto, supporting-legs pivotally connected to the head and foot sections adjacent to the free ends thereof, links pivotally connecting said legs and central section of the bed-frame, the

- points of pivotal connection of said link to said legs and said central section being oif center with respect to the points of pivotal connection of said legs to said sections and of said sections to said central section, and a panel, said panel being secured to the supporting-leg adjacent the headboard, offset therefrom and adapted to rock or swing with the pivoted legs and behind said headboard.

3. In a folding bed, a frame having a central section, a head and foot section hinged or pivoted thereto, pivoted supporting-legs for said'hinged sections, links pivotally connecting the legs and central section, a panel comprising two members, one of said members being secured to the legs and the other member to the links, said members being entirely supported by the links and legs and so disposed in relation to each other, that their adjacent edges will at all times stand in close proximity to each other when the links and egs are turned upon their pivots.

4. In a metallic folding bed, a bed-frame having a central section, and head and foot sections hinged or pivoted thereto, supporting-legs for said hinged or pivoted sections, said supporting-legs being hinged or pivoted to said sections, links pivotally connected at one end to said central section and at the other end to said legs, the points of pivotal connection of said link to said central section and to said legs being off center With respect to the points of pivotal connection of said pivoted section to said central section and of said legs to said pivoted section, a panel carried by one of said frame-sections, said panel having a portion thereof hinged or pivoted thereto on an axis concentric with the axis of,

pivotal connection of the pivoted legs thereof, one portion of said hinged or pivoted ortion of the panel being connected to the a jacent pivoted legs and the other to the links.

5. In a metallic folding bed, a bed-frame having a central section, supporting-legs therefor, head and foot sections pivotally connected to said hinged section, supportinglegs pivotally connected to each of said 'nged or pivoted frame-sections adjacent the fore ends thereof, links pivotally connected at one end to the legs of the central section and at the other end to the pivotallymounted legs of the head and foot sections respectively, boards carried by each of said frame-sections adjacent the free ends thereof and arranged in right-angular relation with respect to the planes of said sections, a panel forming a plate attached to and supported by the pivoted legs of said head-section to rock or swingtherewith, a panel carried by the foot-section and having a portion hinged or pivoted thereto on an axis concentric with the pivotal axis of the pivoted legs of said foot-section, said hinged or pivoted portion of said panel being connected to rock or swing with the legs of said foot-section and the other portion of the panel being connected to the links.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 19th day of January, 1904, in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES JONAS.

Witnesses:

CHAs. H. SEEM, E. O. SEMPLE. 

